Greetings Friends,
Good evening everyone and welcome to Windows Weekly, Albany UU's central source for news and updates. Many apologies for the lateness of the hour - technical difficulties were a 'plenty today!
The Daily Reminder was not sent out this morning since there were no events to remind folks about today. Everything you need to know is right here in the Weekly. Daily Reminders will continue tomorrow morning. Thank you!
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-Blessings and Be Well
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VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE at 10:00 AM
Begin your Sunday morning with a VIRTUAL 8:30 Meditation session until 9:20
VIRTUAL service begins at 10:00 each Sunday
Albany UU Sunday services will remain virtual through the
month of January 2022 due to Omicron and the current Covid spike. The Albany UU Covid Response Team will continue to assess the
situation and keep you informed.
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Jan 16, “Sum of Us Solution” with Rev. Sam Trumbore
This is part two of a two-part sermon series working with the book by Heather McGhee titled, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone And How We Can Prosper Together. This first service addressed the bad news, how racism harms everyone. This service will cast a vision of how to bring us together in a way that overcomes zero sum thinking and persuasively draws people to see the benefits of inclusion and solidarity that results in everyone benefiting.
Music: Nellson Jacobs-Moore; Randy Rosette and Chris Jensen
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VIRTUAL SUNDAY SERVICE INFORMATION
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Jan 23, “Reproductive Justice Sunday” with Rev. Sam Trumbore & Side With Love
The Unitarian Universalist Association and the Side With Love campaign have identified this Sunday, the day after the 1973 Roe v. Wade Decision is remembered each year, as a time to have a celebration of our collective work for Reproductive Justice. We’ll join UUs across the Continent to uphold the right for women to have the freedom to control their own bodies and their reproductive decisions. It is a right the Supreme Court is likely to curtail in June.
Music: TBD
Jan 30, David Weissbard (more information coming soon)
Music: Al De Salvo
Use this link to join Sunday service
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Please welcome the new year with a
flower donation.
The month of January is waiting for your dedication. Contact the office or Sandy Stone (dsalbany@nycap.rr.com) if you would like to see flowers at our Sunday service.
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Sunday Offering
and other service information
Sharing Joys and Concerns during Service
Need to Talk? Albany UU Pastoral Care Associates are here to listen!
Archives
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR
CHILDREN and YOUTH
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This Sunday 1/16: The Wisdom Story this Sunday will be "I Have A Dream" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, due to the upcoming holiday. Our Grade 7/8 Book Club will continue their discussion of the work done during Dr. King's time to fight against our country's deeply embedded racism. Another group's lesson is going to be about the need for persistence in pursuing intentions, since more than 58 years have passed since this speech and powerful people are still actively working to preserve systemic racism- for example by curtailing the opportunity to vote.
Dr. King's family is asking that people celebrating his legacy use the holiday as an opportunity to advocate for voting rights. You can see a video from Dr. Bernice King about that here, and some ways to help at this League of Women Voters site. You could also check out Fair Fight Action, an organization launched by Stacey Abrams dedicated to promoting fair elections.
Link to 10AM Sunday RE groups:
By phone: 1 929 205 6099
Meeting ID: 963 886 2931
Passcode: 2222
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A VERY REAL ISSUE
Everyone is encouraged to attend
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Albany UU has an opportunity for a creative, fun-loving individual to join our team as our Lead Youth Group Advisor. This is a unique chance to get in on the ground floor of an evolving program that enjoys strong support from our open-minded congregation. If you know of anyone who might be interested, perhaps a young UU adult 25 years or older, please share this job posting with them. We offer a supportive and welcoming work environment, lots of opportunities for creativity, and a great group of youth to connect with. Contact Acting Director of Religious Education Elizabeth Baldes with inquiries.
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MINDFULNESS MEDITATION WORKSHOP
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Mindfulness Meditation Workshop on Zoom
led by Rev. Sam Trumbore
January 28-9, 2022
This meditation training and practice workshop will be led by Rev. Trumbore, on Friday 6:00pm to 9:00pm, and Saturday 8:00am to 3:00pm. It gives the participants an opportunity to learn Buddhist mindfulness meditation techniques and/or refresh and deepen their meditation practice. All are welcome from first timers to experts. People will sit together as we do on Zoom on Sunday mornings and do walking meditation in their own homes. We’ll have a break for lunch on Saturday at noon. Please register with Rev. Sam by email (minister@albanyuu.org) if you would like to participate. A voluntary donation can be offered at the end to the Minister’s Discretionary Fund.
Note: It is possible there will be an in-person option but that depends on what happens with COVID in the next weeks.
Rev. Trumbore has practiced Buddhist Vipassana or insight meditation for over 35 years and is Past President of the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship. This meditation technique is one of the best for Unitarian Universalists. It helps people train their minds to strengthen concentration and intensify moment-to-moment awareness. Regular practice of this technique quiets and sharpens the mind, opens the heart and improves one's physical and mental health.
UU Buddhist Fellowship Convocation
with David Loy
March 17-20 in Racine, Wisconsin
Also, note that the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship is planning a Convocation in Racine, Wisconsin, March 17-20. Rev. Trumbore plans to participate in it. It will be multi-platform so you’ll be able to attend on Zoom. Find out more at the UUBF web site: https://uubf.org and check out the flyer here: https://uubf.org/docs/Convo-2022/Convocation-2022.pdf
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UPCOMING WAYS to CONNECT
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Remembering Richard Brewer
Rev. Sam will be hosting a Zoom meeting tonight, Thursday, Jan 13 from 7:00 to 8:00pm for Albany UU members and friends to stop by, share our grief, sorrow and some of our memories and appreciation of Richard. The Zoom link is below:
Use the service link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Start your Sunday Morning with Meditation 8:30 - 9:15 AM
We will sit together virtually for twenty minutes then have some conversation about the talk, meditation methods or experiences followed by a live loving kindness meditation.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
The Inclusivity Team meets on Sunday, January 16 at noon on Zoom. All are welcome to join.
Use the service link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Philosophy Group
At 10:15 AM every Tuesday, the Albany UU Philosophy Group will meet via zoom to discuss the topic of the day. All are welcome.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 987 7102 4708
Password: 0000
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Bridge Group
Tuesdays, 1:00-3:00 PM, Room B-8 at Albany UU. No matter how many people come, all are fitted into play. All are welcome and assumed vaccinated. Due to the nature of this group, there will not be an online option offered.
Ps and Qs
At 10:00 AM on Wednesday, Projects and Quilts (Ps and Qs) will meet.
Use this link to join remotely:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
Albany UU Sings
Join your friends on the following Wednesdays for the rest of the service year at 7:00 PM and sing your heart out in Virtual Community! We will supply the music and the lyrics.
Hope to see you there.
Jan 26
Feb 9, 23
Mar 9, 23
Apr 13, 27
May 11, 25
June 8
Use this link to join:
By phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 979 5961 1765
Passcode: 0000
Walker Book Group
Join the Walker Book Group for a Zoom discussion on Sunday, Feb 13 at 6:30 pm. Join at 6:15 for additional time to socialize. We will discuss Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun. Learn more here.
Use this link to join:
By phone: 929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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GA 2022 Goes Multi-Platform: Meet the Moment
Consider participating in General Assembly 2022 -- either online or in-person in Portland, Oregon! GA, the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association, will be held June 22-26. It’s an immersive, inspirational experience open to everyone, whether you are a lifelong UU or just getting to know our congregation. Check out uua.org/ga for all the details.
Looking for a little income?
Are you--or a friend--looking to make some money occasionally? And, are you able to work on Sundays?
Albany UU needs a ‘backup’ Sunday custodian. The job is from 8:00-1:00 on Sunday mornings and entails a multitude of small tasks that that enable our service and classes to go smoothly. Some lifting is required. The pay is $15 per hour.
If you are interested in finding out more, contact Tammy Goddard (Hathaway), Church Administrator at 518-463-7135 or admin@albanyuu.org. And pass this on to anyone who might be interested!
Also available: occasional “gigs” as Building Host and Dishwasher. Contact Tammy if you’re interested in either of these.
An 8th Principle Minute
“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
Today, we address the word "accountably" as it is used in the 8th Principle.
Our existing 7 principles imply this 8th principle, but do not explicitly hold us accountable for addressing these oppressions directly, especially at the systemic level. There are those who believe we do not need to adopt the 8th Principle because our 1st Principle already affirms “the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” The fact that Unitarian Universalism’s two biggest crises – in the late 1960’s and 2017 – both revolved around institutional racism belies such a claim.
The proposed 8th Principle has something the other Principles do not, and that is the word “accountably” and the moral power it carries. Many believe that just as the Bill of Rights didn’t prevent discrimination and necessitated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, our 7 Principles require an 8th Principle for us to be able to match our actions to the words “the inherent worth and dignity of every person.”
An event that may be of interest to Albany UUs
Blood Drive - March 8, 2022
Place:
Millionaire Building
Albany Airport
16 Jetway Drive
Albany, NY 12211
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Black Lives Matter vigil in Troy
When: Saturdays,10:30-11:15 am
Where: Troy - corner of River Street at the intersection of Fulton and Third Streets, 12180
The vigil will take place, as usual, on New Years Day.
Raise Your Voice for End of Life Choice
CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS: It is important for your lawmakers to hear from you as they look forward to next fall’s elections. Even if you’ve contacted them before, and, especially if you haven’t, please let your lawmakers know you want them to support medical aid in dying as an end-of-life option for New Yorkers. This link makes it easy for you, and allows you to personalize your message.
Inclusivity and SRC Recommend:
Honoring and Celebrating the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, January 17
New York State Memorial Observance
PBS/Channel 11 at 10:00 AM
The Sanctuary For Independent Media MLK Celebration 2022: Labor and Community United for Social Justice
2 - 4:30 PM
New York Poor People's Campaign
Remembering Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Continuing the Movement Together
4 - 6 PM
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With great sadness and heavy hearts we must report to you the untimely death of Richard Brewer.
He experienced an unexpected cerebral hemorrhage Wednesday morning and suffered massive brain damage. He was taken to Samaritan Hospital where they stabilized him until Paula and Dick's daughter, Anna, could return from Portland, Maine to see him. When she was able to be with Paula, they disconnected life support and he died soon afterward.
Due to the COVID pandemic, Paula and Anna plan to postpone his memorial service to a later time, likely to be at some time in April. If you wish to reach out and are not a close friend, please send cards or emails. If you wish to email Paula, use her Albany UU email: pbrewer@albanyuu.org. If you wish to email Anna Brewer use her email: anna.brewer96@gmail.com. Their address is:
23 Sunset Court, Cohoes, NY 12047.
Because this is such a shock to our congregation, and because we are not meeting in person for Sunday services, Rev. Sam will be hosting a Zoom meeting tonight, Thursday, Jan 13 from 7:00 to 8:00pm for Albany UU members and friends to stop by, share our grief, sorrow and some of our memories and appreciation of Richard. The Zoom link is below:
Use the service link to join:
To dial in by phone: 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 299 018 7785
Password: 0000
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Learn about submitting announcements to for Sunday service and how to reserve a Zoom room for meetings and events here.
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Quick Links
Denominational Affairs Links
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Publication deadlines
This is an important reminder that the news and article deadline for Windows Weekly is 9:00 AM on Monday. Thank you for your cooperation.
Sign up for an Albany UU class or event
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First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany |
Parking:
Parking is available on the street. On Sundays (and for some special events) Albany UU has permission to use the University at Albany’s Hawley Parking Lot on Robin Street at Washington Avenue.
Office hours:
By appointment
Our Website:
Zoom use:
To reserve Zoom for an Albany UU meeting, contact the church office (518.463.7135 or office@albanyuu.org).
Building use
To reserve a room for an Albany UU activity or to rent a hall or classroom space, for a personal or non-Albany UU activity, contact Administrative Assistant Patience Pechette (518.463.7135 or office@albanyuu.org).
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Photo credit: Rev. Sam Trumbore
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First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany | 518.463.7135 | 518.463.1429 Admin@AlbanyUU.org | AlbanyUU.org |
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